Mammoth’s long walk

WALKING the equivalent of twice around the world during a life lasting 28 years, one woolly mammoth whose steps have been traced by researchers has proven the huge beast was a long-distance wanderer.

The findings, published on Thursday in the prestigious journal Science, could shed light on theories about why the mammoth, whose teeth were bigger than the human fist, became extinct.

“In all popular culture – for example if you watch (the cartoon) Ice Age – there are always mammoths who move around a lot,” said Clement Bataille, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and one of the lead authors of the study.